Happy Birthday, Baby Boy

Jonah baby,
Happy Birthday darling! I’m sorry I am a few days late in writing this. The reason is, your whole family except for you got very sick the week of your first birthday! I’ll always remember your first birthday as the one we were almost too sick to celebrate. But, thankfully, we all got well just in time. So we celebrated you, our bonus baby, with cake:

and with presents:

and it was so much fun! Your family loves you, baby boy.

Jonah-Jo, you are the baby I never planned on having. Silly me, and silly Daddy, we thought our family was complete. But God knew better, and He gave us you, the most beautiful, sweet, funny, perfect surprise there could ever be. You have taught us so much this past year. You’ve let us see a new side of Joshua and Sophie as they’ve demonstrated how much they love and want to take care of you. You’ve reminded me over and over again that a baby’s smile can put the ups and downs of life into perspective. You’ve given us as a family a million reasons to work together, just to coax you into smiling, laughing, peek-a-booing, patty-caking, etc. You are some good entertainment, my love.

And oh, how you’ve reminded me that I’m getting older! You’re definitely my most aggressive baby, going after whatever you want, and not letting anything stand in your way. You keep me running, boy. I hope one day you can use that aggressiveness and ambition to achieve great things and to help others.

But for now, I’m content just to cuddle you, nurse you, kiss your sweet cheeks, tickle you, bounce you – anything to see that smile, hear that laugh, that has changed this world of mine. I sure do love you, Jonah Laton.